Are High School Students (under 18) covered by FERPA in regards to sharing information with parents.?
What do Regis Administrators and Faculty need to know about FERPA?
No FERPA waivers needed—if students are attending Regis, they are covered by FERPA, and students in classes don’t get to hide their identity from other students in the same classes.
The only restrictions on minor students are via the Minors on Campus protocols (run through HR) and if there are any contracts/agreements, the parents will need to sign on behalf of the underage students.
Because most high school parents are unfamiliar with FERPA, it is recommend that Regis University develop verbiage specific to the dual enrollment program which can then be posted online, included in all enrollment form or information and shared specifically with parents and students.
Example paragraph from Helena College webpage.
Student Privacy Rights
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. Regardless of age, once a student is enrolled at a posts institution, the FERPA rights transfer from the parent to the student.
As a participant in the Early College Credit Program, students are considered enrolled in a postsecondary institution, and the FERPA rights transfer to them. Because ECCP students are enrolled in both high school and college, the two schools may exchange information about the student. The rights still remain to the parent regarding high school records and the parent may inspect and review records sent by the college to the high school.
If a student wants to complete a FERPA waiver form, they can give their parent rights to access their Mount Mary information.
1. Helena College will not release information to your parents unless you expressly consent by filling out the Dual Enrollment Student Authorization for Release of Information Form.